(Sydney) – A catastrophic inferno tore through a building near Central station in Sydney on Thursday afternoon, unleashing a colossal plume of smoke into the sky and causing sections of the structure to crumble.
Over 100 firefighters battled relentlessly to contain the colossal blaze, with Fire and Rescue NSW stating that fully extinguishing the fire would require a substantial and protracted effort.
Jeremy Fewtrell, the Deputy Commissioner for Field Operations at NSW Fire and Rescue, commented on Thursday evening, stating that the fire had been effectively controlled through a combination of aerial and ground operations. However, he cautioned that the emergency personnel would remain on-site throughout the night and into the morning, acknowledging the prolonged nature of the task at hand.
Big fire near central station #sydney #smh @abcsydney pic.twitter.com/WZhsGm0UQv
— Alan Foil (@Foilalan_) May 25, 2023
Eyewitnesses reported witnessing fragments of the burning edifice plummeting onto the pavement. The blaze also caused commuter disruptions, leading to road closures and the suspension of light rail services.
Fire and Rescue received multiple emergency calls just after 4 pm when flames engulfed a seven-storey building on Randle Street in Surry Hills.
Sections of the structure have collapsed, and the fire has spread to nearby residential apartments.
“It resembled a towering candlestick,” stated a resident residing approximately 100 meters from the conflagration, recounting the scene to The Guardian.
“The situation was nothing short of apocalyptic, with ash descending all around us and embers falling like rain.”
The resident, who was working from home, detected the smell of smoke shortly after 4 pm. Subsequently, he heard the reverberations of collapsing walls and observed the fire emitting intense heat throughout the adjacent streets.
Woah huge fire in the heart of Surry Hills right now in Sydney, sent by @annamccrea37 @abcnews @abcsydney. pic.twitter.com/HMQGwmvr2T
— Evelyn Leckie (@Evelyn_Leckie) May 25, 2023
“Even now, the air is pungent,” he declared over an hour and a half after the blaze ignited.
During a press conference on Thursday, Fewtrell assured the public that there were no reports of injuries and no indications of anyone being inside the building when the fire erupted.
“That is our primary concern upon arrival,” he emphasized. “Based on the information we have, the buildings were unoccupied or vacant…either under construction, slated for demolition, or due for repairs.”
One firefighter sustained a minor burn on his arm, which is currently being treated by NSW ambulance paramedics. The injury is not severe and does not necessitate extensive medical intervention.
Fire and Rescue NSW stated in a release that at least one vehicle in the vicinity was consumed by the fire.
Fewtrell acknowledged that he had witnessed fires of comparable magnitude in the past. Nonetheless, he underscored the significant factors distinguishing this incident, namely the rapidity of the fire’s escalation and the close proximity of numerous adjacent buildings.
“The risk of further fire spread is a genuine concern,” he warned. “Our firefighters have displayed exceptional efforts to contain it.”On Thursday, thick black smoke billowed from the building, while towering flames could be spotted from streets afar. Sirens wailed, and fire alarms resounded in the vicinity. The upper floors of the structure appeared extensively charred. Inside, metal beams blazed with intense heat, and colossal steel beams were seen to have collapsed.
